the other side of paradise | bsd x gn!reader

twenty-seven.

You are given around a week to settle down at the Hunting Dogs headquarters before the missions start. The room you are given is big, but quite empty and soulless compared to your agency dorm or the casino room you stayed at. You try to spruce it up a bit, but it's difficult. No number of bright flowers or fun art takes away the emptiness that lingers in that room. You share a whole floor with Teruko, and she doesn't really acknowledge your existence whenever she doesn't have to. You're kind of grateful for that. The last thing you need is Teruko keeping an eye on you in your own room. She's too preoccupied with impressing Fukuchi while you're too preoccupied with your what the future holds.

Once you're set up, Fukuchi enters your room with Jouno in tow. He knocks on the door, not waiting for your response and already walking in. "Hello! Hope you're settling in well, but I have to interrupt for a bit. There are some ground rules in our base we need you to follow."

You try not to react as the two invade your private space and you respond with a calm tone: "Of course. Please, go ahead."

"Right! Great!" Fukuchi slams his hand down on your desk in excitement. You flinch as his arm lands directly on the little origami bird that you displayed there. Fukuchi doesn't seem to mind and clutches that same hand into a fist, seemingly unaware.

"Uhm..." You imagine yourself punching him in the face.

Jouno raises an eyebrow to the way your heart trembles with fury and steps closer to Fukuchi. "You seem to have ruined something of theirs, Captain."

The old man widens his eyes almost comedically and removes his hand. "Whoops! My bad. I'll just tell Teruko to make you a new one," he says and throws the sad remains of the origami bird into the garbage can. "Anyway," Fukuchi rubs his hands together, "ground rules. Number one: do not enter my office without my permission." Alright, so you will definitely break that rule! "Number two: ignore any screaming you hear. Some of the sound blocking walls in the interrogation rooms aren't as soundproof anymore. Number three: we always have dinner together. It's a good team-bonding exercise! And finally, do not try to fight with Tetchou on his diet. It's weird, but he won't listen. Well, that last one is more of a suggestion than a rule."

"Oh, okay. Is that all?"

"Yes, that is all. We'll be leaving now – I really do hope you enjoy your stay and work with us," Fukuchi waves at you as he leaves your room. Jouno follows him but pauses at the doorway. He doesn't even turn to face you. "Your heart sounds like it's going to jump out of your chest. You should get that checked out... or try to control it, please. Emotions like that disturb me." With that, the young man leaves.

Yeah, you need to convince him to join your side. Otherwise, you are completely and utterly screwed. You won't even need to open your mouth for him to suspect something is off. Best to just do as he says and lay low – well, as low as you can in a house with four other people that are very aware of your existence.

Later, during dinner, Fukuchi brings up another uncomfortable topic. It feels like he's trying to mess with your head. While being uncomfortably seated between him and Jouno, not knowing which one makes you feel more on edge, Fukuchi asks you about becoming a Hunting Dog. You respectfully decline while cursing him out in your head, and Teruko supports your answer. She says nobody should become a Hunting Dog if they are not completely dedicated to the job. Fukuchi praises her dedication, Teruko sparkles, Tetchou eats some weird food combination and Jouno gets angry at him. The uncomfortable question is forgotten.

Teruko and Fukuchi leave for a two-day mission first thing in the morning. While relieved you'll finally be free of the uncomfortable feeling Fukuchi gives you, you realize you'll be stuck in a house with Jouno and Tetchou. The dinner that evening starts with bickering between the two and you can't help but chuckle at their antics. Tetchou pauses, looks at you in complete seriousness and turns back to Jouno.